Palladium Books® – Press Release – August 1, 2008

Palladium product log jam
is about to burst loose

Palladium Books has spent much of the last 12 months laying the foundation to get back into full production. That return to a regular production schedule starts now.

We believe the role-playing market remains a viable one, at least for Palladium Books®. We intend to prove it with new releases for hot product lines like Robotech®, Rifts® and Rifts® Chaos Earth™ as well as revitalize perennial fan favorites, like The Palladium Fantasy Role-playing Game®, Nightbane®, Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural™ and others.

The number one complaint from Palladium gamers? You want more product, and you want it NOW. And we intend to give it to you, starting now.

Rifts® Products

Rifts® Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs™ anthology book is at the printer and on schedule. Just this past Tuesday, Publisher, Kevin Siembieda approved the printer proofs for this book.

Game distributors are always wary of novels and story collections, so you may have trouble finding Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs in your local store. See if you can special order it, let your store know you want a copy, or you’ll need to buy it directly from Palladium Books.

Stories deal with Juicers, Combat Cyborgs, the Coalition Army, Cyber-Snatchers, dark magic, CS Citizenship, and more. All are good to excellent. Ships August 6, 2008.

This Rifts® title will be followed by the long awaited Hell sourcebook, Dyval (October or November, 2008), and the rest of the Minion War titles, Dimensional Outbreak™ (set on Phase World®), Heroes of the Megaverse® (set in Phase World® and the Three Galaxies™), Armageddon Unlimited™ (a Heroes Unlimited™ RPG crossover) and Megaverse® in Flames™ (set on Rifts® Earth).

2009 will see the release of additional titles for Rifts®, Phase World®, and Rifts® Chaos Earth. 10 manuscripts are already done and in the pipeline.

Robotech®

As news and speculation on the Robotech® movie continues (Lawrence Kasdan has, reportedly, been hired to write the screenplay), Palladium is creating its own heat with a 224 page, 8½ x 11 inch, Robotech® hardcover edition and Gold Collector’s Edition, as well as manga-size Robotech® sourcebooks that are sure to delight Robotech® fans and create excitement.

New and Coming Soon

Dead Reign™ (Zombie) RPG is Palladium’s Zombie Apocalypse and a new RPG setting where the dead have risen to tear down human civilization and devour humankind. The war between the living and the dead starts October, 2008.

The Rifter® #44 – Monster Extravaganza. Our annual horror issue and monsters, too.

Mysteries of Magic™ sourcebook about magic, offering a host of new spells for the Palladium Fantasy RPG® (but adaptable to all Palladium settings). Shooting for a November or December, 2008 release.

Product Checklist

The Rifter® #43 – Swimsuit & Wujcik Tribute Issue – Available now
Rifts® Anthology: Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs™ – August 6
Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG “Manga-Size Edition” – Available now.
Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG “Deluxe HC Edition” – August 6
Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG “Gold” Edition” – August 6
Robotech® The Macross Saga™ Sourcebook – August or September
Robotech® The Masters Saga™ Sourcebook – September or October
The Rifter® #44 – Monster Extravaganza – October
Dead Reign™ (Zombie) RPG – October
Rifts® Dimension Book™ 11: Dyval™, Hell Unleashed (Minion War™) – Fall (November)

Also Coming

Rifts® Dimension Book™ 12: Dimensional Outbreak™ (Minion War™) – Fall
Rifts® Heroes of the Megaverse® (Minion War™) – Fall
Heroes Unlimited™/Rifts®: Armageddon Unlimited™ (Minion War™) – Fall or Winter
Mysteries of Magic™ – Fall or Winter
Nightbane® sourcebook – Fall or Winter
Rifts® Megaverse® in Flames™ – Winter
And More . . .

Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs™ – Ships August 6, 2008

Juicers, Cyber-Snatchers, Combat Cyborgs, Dead Boys, Dog Boys, Erin Tarn, Chi-Town, the ‘Burbs, parents, siblings, bartenders, comedians, monsters, dark magic, tragic endings, happy endings, and new beginnings are some of the things you’ll read about in this collection of new and original Rifts® short stories created special for this book. Each written by one of Palladium’s premiere writers.

The ‘Burbs are a collection of people waiting for admission into one of the fortified city havens of the Coalition States. They do not officially exist, and therefore have no formal government or laws. Refugees, D-Bees, fugitives, adventurers, outlaws and dreamers of every stripe make their home in the ‘Burbs or visit to sell their wares, get a little R&R, or cause some trouble. This also attracts opportunists and criminals who prey upon the innocent and the gullible.

  • Trade paperback size (6 x 9 inches).
  • Erin Tarn’s unique view of the ‘Burbs and the good they serve.
  • Stories written by Kevin Siembieda, Jason Marker, Braden Campbell, Carl Gleba, Josh Hilden, Mark Oberle, Jason Richards, Jeffry Scott Hansen, Josh Sinsapaugh, John Philpott, and Taylor White.
  • $12.95 retail – 224 pages – Cat. No. 304.
  • At the printer and scheduled for an August 6, 2008 ship date.
    Note: If sales are strong (and we think they will be), this is likely to be the first of a series of new Rifts® novels and anthology books.

    Robotech®: The Shadow Chronicles® RPG
    – 8½ x 11 Deluxe Hardcover Edition – Ready to ship

    The Deluxe Hardcover and Gold editions of Robotech®: The Shadow Chronicles® RPG have arrived at the Palladium warehouse and are being prepped for shipment to gamers who order online starting on August 4, 2008. We think the books look great.

    The Deluxe Edition has been completely redone and laid out as if it were a new title to best suit the larger size. It is filled with additional artwork throughout, offers superior reproduction of toned artwork, better paper stock, larger type-face, and some additional text, including two Haydonite spaceships, three UEEF ships, space combat rules and a handful of additional vehicles. Some of you requested a larger, hardcover edition of the core rule book and we’re happy to comply.

  • New, large illustrations throughout.
  • Some additional text for a few new weapons and vehicles.
  • New, text on Haydonite and UEEF spacecraft.
  • Spaceship combat rules.
  • Veritech Fighters, Cyclones, Bioroid Interceptor and more.
  • Invid mecha and adventure ideas.
  • Haydonites, the Wraith, Infiltrator and spaceships.
  • Fast character creation, skills and options.
  • Superior quality paper and reproduction.
  • A complete role-playing game. Everything you need to play.
  • 8½ x 11 full book size, hardcover, core rules.
  • 224 pages – $30.95 retail – Cat. No. 550HC – Available in stores everywhere.
  • Ships August 6 or sooner. Ships to distributors August 6.

    Robotech®: The Shadow Chronicles® RPG
    – Signed & Numbered, “Gold” Hardcover Edition – Ready to Ship

    The 8½ x 11, Collector’s “Gold” Hardcover Edition of Robotech®: The Shadow Chronicles® RPG has arrived at the Palladium warehouse and is being prepped for shipment on August 6, 2008! Kevin Siembieda is personally taking care of the final touch of gluing in the signed and numbered, color signature sheet himself. The cover is rich, classy and impressive. Everyone who has seen it, wants one!

  • Only 500 signed and numbered copies. Sold on a first come, first served basis.
  • Black leatherette and embossed gold foil cover.
  • Color signature sheet signed by Tommy Yune, Kevin Siembieda, Jason Marker, Brian Manning, Allen Manning, Wayne Smith, Julius Rosenstein and Alex Marciniszyn. Eight signatures, total.
  • 8½ x 11 full book size, hardcover, core rules.
  • 224 pages – $70.00 retail – Cat. No. 5500HC – Available ONLY from Palladium Books.
  • A complete role-playing game. Everything you need to play.
  • Ships August 6, 2008.

    Robotech®: Macross Saga™ Sourcebook – September

    The mecha, vehicles, weapons and characters that made Robotech® famous. Giant mecha, alien invaders, heroes, villains and fun.

  • Veritech Fighters.
  • Destroids.
  • The Zentraedi enemy, their mecha & select spacecraft.
  • Detailed illustrations, comprehensive stats and information.
  • Manga size for easy portability (5x7½ inches).
  • Written by Kevin Siembieda and Jason Marker.
  • Cover by Apollo Okamura.
  • Interior art by Brian & Allen Manning, Mike Majestic and others.
  • 192 pages – $15.95 retail – Cat. No. 551.
  • Ships the end of August or early September. In final production.

    Robotech®: The Masters Saga™ Sourcebook – October

    Never before revealed mecha designs, stats and information about Earth’s fighting forces and the invading Robotech Masters.

  • The Armies of the Southern Cross – Earth’s defenders.
  • Hovertanks, AJAX, Logan and other human mecha.
  • Revealed for the first time: The Mecha of the Southern Cross.
  • Additional vehicles and weapons.
  • The Robotech Masters, Bioroids, spaceships and weapons.
  • Manga size for easy portability (5x7½ inches).
  • Written by Jason Marker.
  • Cover by Apollo Okamura.
  • Interior art by Brian & Allen Manning and Mike Majestic.
  • 192 pages – $15.95 retail – Cat. No. 552.
  • Ships end of September or early October. In production.

    The Rifter® #44 – Horror Special – October

    The Rifter® is your doorway to unlimited imagination and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. It offers new heroes, powers, weapons, magic and adventure for your games. It presents new villains, monsters and dangers to battle, and new ideas to consider.

  • A dozen or more monsters from across the Megaverse®.
  • Adventures and source material with a horror twist.
  • Adventure/source material for Wormwood™.
  • Adventure/source material for Nightbane® and Beyond the Supernatural™.
  • The latest chapter of Hammer of the Forge™, fiction.
  • News, coming attractions and more.
  • $10.95 retail – 96 pages – Cat. No. 144.
  • Ships early October. In production.

    Dead Reign™ RPG
    – The Zombie Apocalypse – October, 2008

    Dead Reign™ is a game of survival, rescue and revenge. Player characters are both the hunted and the hunters as they battle the creeping doom that is the living dead and pray for salvation.

  • S.D.C. setting.
  • Zombies have taken over the world.
  • Zombies control the cities. Humans hide in remote wilderness areas.
  • Zombies capture, keep and breed humans in food pens.
  • Several different types of zombies.
  • Humankind fights to rescue those they can, and destroy as many of the zombie abominations as they can.
  • Player characters are ordinary people fighting for their very existence or bent on revenge.
  • Is this the end of the world as we know it? Can Earth be reclaimed by humanity?
  • Cover by E.M. Gist.
  • Art by Nick Bradshaw and Amy L. Ashbaugh.
  • Written by Josh Hilden and Joshua Sanford. Additional text, rules and ideas by Kevin Siembieda. Coming this October.
  • Exact size and price yet to be determined. Probably around 224-256 pages, at a price range of $22.95 to $24.95 retail. Cat. No. 230.

    Rifts® Dimension Book™ 11: Dyval™, Hell Unleashed

    Kevin Siembieda and Jason Marker will soon get back to finishing Dyval™ and Dimensional Outbreak™ for Fall release.

    Dyval™ is as dangerous as Hades and a whole lot stranger. It is the second book in the Minion War™ series, and is every bit as fantastic as Hades. The Deevil Host, evil monsters and minions, Deevil society, monstrous War Steeds, magic, adventure settings and more will make this another welcomed addition to the Palladium Megaverse®. Suitable for use with The Palladium Fantasy RPG®, HU2, Nightbane®, BTS-2, Phase World® and Rifts®.

  • The hellish dimension of Dyval mapped and described.
  • New Lesser and Greater Deevils along with all your old faves.
  • Inhuman minions who serve as the Host.
  • Magic weapons and horrific war beasts.
  • World information and adventure ideas.
  • A stand-alone Dimension Book that is also the second step in an epic, five book adventure that spills across the Palladium Megaverse®.
  • Companion to Hades and the next chapter in the Minion War™.
  • Artwork by Nick Bradshaw, Mike Wilson, Mike Mumah, and others.
  • Cover painting by John Zeleznik.
  • Written by Carl Gleba and Kevin Siembieda.
  • 192 pages – Cat. No. 873 – $22.95 retail. A Fall release.

    Rifts® Dimension Book™ 12: Dimensional Outbreak™

    The Minion War™ spills into Phase World®, the city of Center and the Three Galaxies™. The epic scale of the Minion War just got bigger and even the Worlds of Warlock, the Splugorth and Naruni are involved.

  • Phase World’s Center described and mapped. Four new levels, including the Gateland, Central Station, the Spaceport, Repo-Yards, Free Trade Zone, Warlock Market, notable merchants and places of business, and much more.
  • Demon Knights, Star Slayers, demonic legions and more.
  • Demonic spaceships, magic weapons and new horrors.
  • Deevil fortifications and defenses.
  • Space spell magic (new).
  • Spaceships, power armor and other gear.
  • The plot for conquering the Three Galaxies.
  • A stand-alone Dimension Book that is also the third step in an epic, five book crossover that spills across the Palladium Megaverse®.
  • Artwork by Apollo Okamura, Mike Mumah, and others.
  • John Zeleznik cover painting.
  • Written by Carl Gleba.
  • 192 pages – Cat. No. 875 – $22.95 retail. A Fall, 2008 release.

    Gen Con® – Booth 501 – August 14-17, 2008

    Please feel free to drop by the Palladium Booth at Gen Con® Indy to chat with Kevin Siembieda and other Palladium staffers and talent. We’re also happy to autograph books for you.
    Palladium guests include:
    Kevin Siembieda (publisher, writer, artist) – confirmed
    Wayne Smith (editor) – confirmed
    Jason Marker (writer) – confirmed
    Apollo Okamura (artist) – confirmed
    Josh Hilden (writer) – confirmed
    Jason Richards (writer) – confirmed
    Mark Oberle (writer) – confirmed
    Carl Gleba (writer; tentative)
    Paul Deckert (associate) – confirmed
    James Brown (Megaversal Ambassador) – confirmed
    Zachary Houghton (Megaversal Ambassador) – confirmed
    And others . . .
    The Palladium Books booth is at the front of Aisle 500 and near Upper Deck.

    V.I.P. Tickets for the 2009 Palladium Open House
    Sold out in 13 hours!

    V.I.P. tickets for the 2009 Palladium Open House went on sale at noon, July 31, 2008. Kevin Siembieda increased the number of V.I.P.s to 60 and we still sold out by 1:00 A.M., 13 hours later. That’s a new record!

    In the past, V.I.P. tickets have sold out with 7-12 days, but NEVER in 12 or 13 hours. This shows just how popular the Palladium Open House has become, as well as how strong the Palladium gaming community remains.

    Approximately 220 Weekend 2009 Palladium Open House tickets are still available, as are individual day admission tickets, but we have a feeling attendance will be high this year, and we may have to turn people away, so you probably want to reserve your Open House admissions before February to guarantee you attendance. Hotel rooms are likely to go fast, too.

    2009 Palladium Open House
    Dates: May 1, 2 & 3, 2009.
    Time: 9:30 A.M. till midnight (or later; all night gaming at hotel).
    Attendance: Limited to around 320 or so gamers.
    Cost: $40 per person for the weekend (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), or $16 per day for Friday and Saturday, $12 for Sunday. Available on a first come, first served basis.

    Open House – Hotel – $69.95 per night
    Reserve your room as soon as possible

    Space is limited and Palladium may need to book rooms in a second hotel, so book your room NOW to get this great price and location.
    Hotel information:

  • $69.95 plus tax per Double or King room.
  • Clean, comfortable rooms – Double beds or a single king-size bed.
  • Free complimentary breakfast from 5:30 A.M. to 9:30 A.M.
  • Exercise room open 24 hours.
  • Executive meeting room for all-night gaming; provided a Palladium agent is present in the room.
  • Large meeting room with tables and chairs for six additional games for all-night gaming; provided a Palladium agent is present in the room.
  • Plenty of places to eat just down the road (Denny’s, Wendy’s, McDonald’s, Bennigan’s, and many others).
  • TO MAKE A RESERVATION at the $69.95 price you MUST tell them you want a room in the Block Reserved for Palladium Books. 734-455-8100 tel.
    Comfort Inn Plymouth Clocktower
    40455 Ann Arbor Road (right off of I-275)
    Plymouth, MI 48170
    Call 734-455-8100 to make hotel reservations.
  • Palladium Open House Dates: V.I.P. Thursday is April 30. Open House for all is May 1, 2 & 3, 2009.

    2009 Palladium Open House Guests already lined up
    – May 1-3, 2009 (not counting V.I.P. Thursday, April 30) –

    Kevin Siembieda – publisher, writer, artist & game designer
    Wayne Smith – editor-in-chief of The Rifter®
    Alex Marciniszyn – editor, writer and researcher
    Jason Marker – writer, editor, and freelancer coordinator
    Julius Rosenstein – writer, proofreader and Game Master
    Kathy Simmons – sales, marketing and cook extraordinaire
    Josh Hilden – writer and co-creator of Dead Reign RPG
    Brandon Aten – writer (tentative)
    Carmen Bellaire – writer
    Braden Campbell – writer (tentative)
    Matthew Daye – writer & Podcast host of Gateway to the Megaverse®
    Carl Gleba – writer
    Jeffry Scott Hansen – writer
    Mark Oberle – writer
    John C. Philpott – writer
    Jason Richards – writer
    Joshua Sanford – writer and co-creator of Dead Reign RPG
    Josh Sinsapaugh – writer
    Taylor White – writer (tentative)
    Nick Bradshaw – artist
    Kent Burles – artist (tentative)
    Mark Dudley – artist
    Mark Evans – artist/cover painter (tentative)
    Mike Majestic – artist
    Allen Manning – artist
    Brian Manning – artist
    Apollo Okamura – artist/cover painter
    Chuck Walton – artist
    Chris Perrin – Podcast host of Echoes from the Rifts®
    And more to be announced . . .

  • 40+ Palladium creators (estimated) gathered under one roof available to you to autograph books, chat, sell prints and original art, clown around, game and have fun. And many of the artists are willing to draw character sketches at reasonable prices, or sell prints and original artwork. That’s more Palladium guests than at any convention anywhere in the world! And it happens right at the Palladium offices and warehouse!
  • Costume competition!
  • Auction of game books and collectibles.
  • Dealer’s area with Palladium back stock, new titles, out of print collectibles and Open House specials.
  • Costume competition, panel discussions and more.
  • Meet fellow gamers from around the world! Gamers come from across North America, coast to coast and everywhere in-between. Some even come from as far away as Germany, England and Australia!
  • The Palladium Open House is unlike any convention you’ve ever attended. We call this gaming event the Palladium Open House, because we are inviting you into our home away from home, and into our hearts.
  • In this intimate and fun setting you get to meet ALL the guests and staff, be the first to hear our new ideas, ask questions and have fun, face to face, one on one. It’s awesome.
  • Four days of fun. Our first two Open Houses were only Saturday and Sunday (plus V.I.P. Friday), but so many fans have asked us to expand the days of gaming, that in 2009, Palladium will host three full days of gaming – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – plus V.I.P. Thursday!

    To order tickets, click here: Weekend - Friday - Saturday - Sunday

    © Copyright 2008 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
    Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Heroes Unlimited, Beyond the Supernatural, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.

    Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

    This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.